The UK Military Low Flying System covers the open airspace of the whole of the UK and surrounding overseas areas from the surface to 2,000 feet above the ground or mean sea level.
Military fixed wing aircraft are judged to be low flying when they are less than 2000 feet minimum separation distance from the ground. Light propeller driven aircraft and helicopters are judged to be low flying below 500 feet minimum separation distance from the ground.
(minimum separation distance is defined as the distance that must be maintained between any part of an aircraft in flight and the ground, water or any object. It does not apply to separation between aircraft in the same formation).
Low Flying The Facts
- Is an essential skill that provides aircrew with one of the best chances of survival
- Is a highly demanding skill which can only be maintained through continuous and realistic training
- Is conducted with the safety of people on the ground, our aircrew, and other airspace users as the overriding concern
- Is rigorously controlled and continuously monitored
- Has reduced since 1988 - the total number of sorties by a third and those by jets by more than half